Condemnation of the Council of Islamic Ideology’s Complicity in China's Propaganda in East Turkistan

The International Union of East Turkistan Organizations (IUETO) strongly condemns the recent visit of a delegation led by Dr. Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naimi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, to occupied East Turkistan. This visit, conducted at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a clear attempt by the Chinese government to manipulate global perception of its ongoing genocidal policies against Uyghur Muslims and other Turkic people in the region.

While the delegation's statements highlight the supposed economic and religious freedoms in East Turkistan, the reality is that Uyghurs face severe repression, including mass incarceration, forced labor, religious suppression, and cultural destruction. The Chinese government’s efforts to "renovate" cities like Kashgar are part of a broader campaign to erase Uyghur identity under the guise of development and modernization. These cosmetic changes serve to whitewash the systematic human rights violations and divert attention from the genocide recognized by multiple international bodies.

It is deeply troubling that the Council of Islamic Ideology has allowed itself to be used in such a transparent propaganda campaign. By endorsing the Chinese narrative, this visit undermines the suffering of millions of Uyghur Muslims who have been deprived of their basic rights, including the right to practice their religion freely. Despite claims of economic improvement and religious freedom, the reality on the ground remains one of severe oppression, with mosques being demolished, Islamic practices being banned, and entire communities being forcibly assimilated.

The IUETO calls on Muslim leaders and organizations, including the Council of Islamic Ideology, to take a firm stance against China’s atrocities in East Turkistan and to support the Uyghur people in their struggle for freedom and justice. Complicity in China’s propaganda efforts only serves to embolden a regime responsible for genocide, cultural erasure, and crimes against humanity.

We urge all responsible organizations to refrain from engaging in actions that legitimize China’s repressive policies and to advocate for the immediate cessation of the ongoing genocide in East Turkistan.

International Union of East Turkistan Organizations (IUETO)

27.09.2024